Social Life in Ralston ...

It has been 2 weeks since we returned from our holiday and they have flown by with lots of socialising and great weather. Our longtime friends Andy, Sam and their daughters Francesca and Milly have arrived in Ralston so we have managed several bbqs and beer/wine sampling with them along with trying to sort out our christmas plans - looking to get a condo in Canmore together. So over the last 2 weeks we have been invited to several friends houses for bbq's, the Leonards, Teskey & Bridle families all went bowling at the alley which is within the village followed by another bbq, we have been to the splash park, Chis has managed 2 games of golf, I have been running and the kids have had their swimming lessons, bike riding and playing with friends. It is this time of year when there is always a large turnover of new people and Ralston is no different so there are lots of new playmates for Tegan and Fraser although I have to say the village seems to be full of little girls - Fraser keeps asking for boys to arrive.

Friday afternoon Sam was off on her tank ride which she won during the Ralston Rodeo so Tegan, Fraser and myself went along to watch, Fraser was in heaven with his love of tanks. It was a great afternoon with Sam's girls and Andy and us all watching her zoom across the prairie in this awesome piece of machinery. I was lucky enough to also have a go.

Friday night we attended the Beating of the Retreat up on camp with the Light Cavalry Band playing. Beating Retreat is a ceremony which belongs essentially to the Army and Royal Marines. In medieval times it was assigned to tavern keepers to close taps and serve no more drink to soldiers. Retreat is also a beat of a drum at the firing of the evening gun and setting the watch. Soldiers discharged with ignominy are 'drummed' out of the regiment. Todays beating retreat is a ceremonial parade normally preceded by a marching display. Friday night was a glorious summers evening so lovely to sit outside and watch the Light Cavalry Band, when finished we all went into the Sgt's mess for drinks and a great mess curry.

This week I am starting Skate School as I have joined the Ralston Devils ice hockey team - no laughing please. Not sure how it is going to go but I have bought all the gear which will probably take me about an hour to get on and then I wont be able to move - but as I am living in Canada I need to experience ice hockey and give it a go. More to come about this and pictures.

A few weeks ago we took delivery of a new Dutch Barn garden shed - so I thought it would be a good idea to paint in traditional colours. However the wood the shed is made from is extremely porous and it took at lot of painting. So after a little help from Fraser and Chris helping out this weekend it looks great. Jinx also managed to get involved and now has a red ear, which everyone thinks is actually bleeding.

And finally 9 weeks school summer holiday is over - Tegan and Fraser are back at school today. I have to say the weeks went quicker than I expected and we seem to have done so much. Mind you next Monday is Labour Day so they all get the day off!!!!